Chapter 3
464 Words
The chapel was too small for the Hemsworth name.
White flowers, a handful of chairs, and the air felt like ice. No photographers. No guests. Just family only, like Liam demanded.
Reilly stood at the altar in a simple ivory dress. It wasn’t the gown she’d imagined as a kid. It didn’t matter. Her father wasn’t even looking at her. Selene sat in the front row with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, already counting the 30 million. Her stepsiblings whispered behind their hands, like this was entertainment.
Liam waited by the priest. Black suit. No tie. Hands in his pockets like he’d rather be anywhere else.
When she reached him, he didn’t take her hand. Didn’t smile. Just stared straight ahead while the priest read the vows fast, like even he wanted this over with.
“Do you take this man—”
“I do,” Reilly said quietly. Her voice didn’t shake. She wouldn’t give them that.
“Do you take this woman—”
Liam paused for half a second too long. Then, “Yes.” One word. Cold. Final.
The ring he slid onto her finger was simple, the church owned it. He didn’t meet her eyes while doing it.
“You may kiss the bride.”
He turned, pressed his lips to her cheek for one second, then pulled back. It wasn’t a kiss. It was a transaction.
“Congratulations,” Selene gushed as they signed the papers. “Mr. and Mrs. Hemsworth.”
Liam didn’t correct her. Didn’t smile. He just signed his name in sharp, angry strokes and stood.
“Owen. The car,” he said, already walking out.
Reilly followed. Her new husband didn’t hold the door for her. Didn’t look back.
In the backseat, he kept his eyes on his phone. The space between them was wider than the whole chapel.
“Six months,” he said without looking up. “We don’t pretend at home. You have your room. I have mine. We show up for events when the madame requests it. Nothing else.”
Reilly nodded. Her hands gripped the ivory fabric in her lap.
The investment was safe. The Stephens name was saved.
And she was married to a man who wouldn’t even say her name.
Her mother’s locket felt heavy against her chest. She had always told her about marriage and how good brides were treated so beautifully
“Mom,” she thought. “I did it.”
Liam didn’t hear her. He was already on his next call.
- Writer
